Bayern Munich Midfielder Joshua Kimmich to Miss Champions League Clash Against Arsenal Due to Family Bereavement
Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich ruled out of the Champions League match against Arsenal following a family bereavement. Read the latest club updates.
POLICY WIRE — Munich, Germany — Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich has been ruled out of the upcoming Champions League encounter against Arsenal following a death in his immediate family. The German club confirmed the news on Wednesday morning, sidelining the 31-year-old captain for the high-profile fixture at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern officials announced the absence early Wednesday, noting that the player is dealing with personal matters. The club has officially requested that the public and media respect Kimmich’s privacy and grief during this difficult time, urging reporters to refrain from making further inquiries.
The squad faces a severe test of depth for the match against the Premier League side, entering the fixture without multiple key figures. Alongside Kimmich’s absence due to bereavement, Bayern will play without Olise due to suspension and Musiala due to injury, while head coach Vincent Kompany remains a doubt after contracting a viral infection.
Meanwhile, Germany national team coach Jürgen Klopp recently discussed the broader midfield landscape while praising the partnership between Tom Bischof and Aleksandar Pavlovic. Speaking at half-time during a previous European fixture, Klopp highlighted how well the pair have operated together for both club and country.
Tom Bischof and Aleksandar Pavlovic are playing superbly together, Klopp remarked, adding that their stellar performances against Arsenal built on the brilliance they already displayed for the national team. Despite their rising prominence, Klopp strongly defended Kimmich, emphasizing that the experienced midfielder remains a vital cornerstone for Germany.
Joshua is an outstanding player with outstanding qualities, Klopp stated, pointing to Kimmich’s strong recent performance against RB Leipzig. Rather than viewing squad competition as a negative, the national team manager views it as a valuable opportunity to rotate players and maintain high standards across every position.
Germany requires more than two top-tier performers per position to maintain international success, according to Klopp. The manager noted that having options like Kimmich alongside Nmecha, coupled with Pavlovic and Bischof, gives the coaching staff crucial tactical flexibility.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
